Alexander Lebedev, a prominent Russian businessman and former KGB intelligence officer. His success can be attributed to his ownership of the National Reserve Bank and his involvement in media ventures such as Novaya Gazeta, the Evening Standard, and The Independent.
This article will delve into Alexander Lebedev net worth, his career achievements, personal life, and why he is famous.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Alexander Yevgenievich Lebedev |
| Popular Name | Alexander Lebedev |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth Date | December 16, 1959 |
| Age | 63 |
| Parents | Father: Yevgeny Nikolaevich Lebedev |
| Mother: Maria Sergeyevna | |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Birth Place | Moscow, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Ethnicity | N/A |
| Education | Moscow State Institute of International Relations |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Sexual Orientation | N/A |
| Wife/Spouse | Natalia Sokolova (Former) |
| Children | Son: Evgeny Lebedev |
| Dating | Elena Perminova, |
| Net Worth | Approximately $1.1 billion |
| Source of Wealth | Ownership of the National Reserve Bank, media ventures |
| Height | N/A |
| Weight | N/A |
What is Alexander Lebedev Net Worth and Salary in 2023?
As of June 1, 2023, Alexander Lebedev’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.1 billion. His wealth stems from his ownership of the National Reserve Bank, one of Russia’s leading private banks. However, it is important to note that his fortune has declined over the years, and he is no longer considered a billionaire.
Why is Alexander Lebedev Famous?
Alexander Lebedev is famous for his diverse accomplishments in business, media, and philanthropy. He gained recognition as a former KGB intelligence officer and later made a significant impact in the banking industry by acquiring the National Reserve Bank, which grew rapidly to become one of Russia’s largest banks.
Lebedev’s influence extends to the media sector, where he co-owns Novaya Gazeta, a renowned opposition newspaper in Russia.
Additionally, he owns two prominent UK newspapers, the Evening Standard and The Independent. Lebedev’s philanthropic endeavors include supporting cultural initiatives and charities, such as the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation.
Alexander Lebedev Overview
Early life
Alexander Lebedev was born on December 16, 1959, in Moscow, Russia, and comes from an intellectual family. His father, Yevgeny Nikolaevich Lebedev, was a former elite athlete and professor, while his mother, Maria Sergeyevna, worked as an English teacher.
Lebedev pursued higher education at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where he studied economics.
After completing his studies, Lebedev embarked on a career in the intelligence services. He served as an officer in the First Chief Directorate of the Soviet Union’s KGB and later in Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). However, he eventually left the intelligence community to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Career and Awards
Alexander Yevgenievich Lebedev is a renowned Russian businessman, often referred to as one of the Russian oligarchs. Lebedev has had an illustrious career spanning various sectors including intelligence, business, and politics.
He served as an officer in the First Chief Directorate (Foreign Intelligence) of the Soviet Union’s KGB until 1992, and later worked for one of the KGB’s successor-agencies, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
In the business world, Lebedev made his mark by establishing his first company, the Russian Investment-Finance Company, which later acquired the National Reserve Bank. This bank grew rapidly to become one of Russia’s largest banks, with assets including significant parts of Sberbank, Gazprom, RAO UES, and 11% of the main Russian national airline Aeroflot.
Lebedev’s business ventures also extended to media ownership, with him owning part of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and two UK newspapers, the Evening Standard and The Independent, with his son Evgeny Lebedev.
Lebedev’s political career saw him standing as a candidate for elections to the Mayoralty of Moscow and the State Duma in 2003. He won a seat in the State Duma on the Rodina party list and remained in the Duma until 2007.
He was also the Vice Chairman of Duma’s committee on the Commonwealth of Independent States and the coordinator of Duma’s group on interactions with Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Over the years, Lebedev has been recognized for his contributions to society. He has a long history of supporting culture and charity, creating the Charitable Reserve Fund (BRF) to streamline these activities.
For his philanthropic efforts, he was awarded the Saint Innokenty of Moscow Order by the Russian Orthodox Church and the Dialogue of Cultures medal by UNESCO.
In recent news, Lebedev was put on Canada’s sanctions list following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the challenges, Lebedev continues to be a prominent figure in the Russian business and political landscape, making significant contributions to various sectors.
Personal Life
Natalia Sokolova, the daughter of physicist Vladimir Sokolov, was Lebedev’s first wife, with whom he had one kid, Evgeny Lebedev. They divorced in 1998. Evgeny Lebedev has been a crossbench life lord in the House of Lords since November 19, 2020.
Elena Perminova, a former model, has been Lebedev’s companion since 2005; some reports say they are married, while others say they are engaged. They have four children: three sons and one girl.
Social accounts
FAQs about Alexander Lebedev
What businesses does Alexander Lebedev own?
Lebedev owns the National Reserve Bank, Novaya Gazeta, the Evening Standard, and The Independent.
What philanthropic activities is Alexander Lebedev involved in?
Lebedev has supported cultural initiatives and charities, including the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation.
Has Alexander Lebedev been involved in philanthropy?
Yes, Alexander Lebedev has been involved in philanthropy. He supports various charitable initiatives, including environmental causes and humanitarian efforts. He has also been active in promoting animal welfare.
What newspapers does Alexander Lebedev have partial ownership of and in what languages are they printed?
He is a partial owner of several English newspapers like the Independent on Sunday, The Independent, and the London Evening Standard, as well as he is a partner of the daily Novaya Gazeta, which is printed in Russian.
Conclusion
Alexander Lebedev’s entrepreneurial journey and success in various industries have made him a prominent figure in Russia and the international business community. From his early days as a KGB intelligence officer to his ownership of major banks and media outlets, Lebedev’s influence is far-reaching.
Despite facing challenges and experiencing fluctuations in his wealth, he remains dedicated to philanthropy and supporting causes close to his heart. Thank you for reading.
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